CHICAGO — The most unusual Democratic convention in generations will begin Monday and make history by nominating the nominee. Kamala Harris Joe Biden ran for president just a month after ending his re-election campaign.
Vice President Harris quickly unified the party and clinched the nomination, even though he didn’t run in any primaries at the top of the ticket — and his campaign has since moved into narrow leads in national and battleground polls versus statistical parity. Donald Trump.
Here are five big things to watch at the four-day convention, where Democrats will try to keep their momentum going.
Will the happy theme continue?
Harris’ success thus far has been owed in part to his ability to turn the doom and gloom surrounding Biden’s race against Trump. more cheerful atmosphere. His high-spirited persona — with a laugh that Republicans have derided for years — has found an organic fan base, spawning countless positive memes and viral clips on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Biden’s speech sparked enthusiasm among Democrats and a coalition of voters desperate for a candidate who didn’t try to be president in the 80s.
Democrats are well aware of this wealth and will try to harness this energy at the convention. But they’ll have a balance to strike: sticking with a cheerful and upbeat theme could have its limits for a party that continues to warn that a Trump presidency could spell doom for American democracy.
Joy and fear are both motivators. Biden relied more on fears of Trump’s return, reports of doom and appeals to American benevolence. Harris’s approach was different. He replaced them with a more hopeful message of “freedom and opportunity.” And with the help of his running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris tried to reassure Democrats by deriding Trump and his allies as “freaks.”
Vibes or politics?
Harris’ growth is largely built on good vibes. So far, he has kept his message strictly under control he avoided giving interviews to the mediaand this is expected to continue throughout the convention week. It will be a history-making nomination — the first black woman and the first Indian-American to be nominated by a major party — leaving plenty of room for good moments.
But how much will Harris and the Democrats believe it? Instead, will Harris use the convention as an opportunity to flesh out his governing vision and explain how he will try to improve people’s lives as president? Harris, who has faced criticism for avoiding policy details, started it make economic proposals In the days leading up to the convention, he focuses on cutting costs — rent and housing, groceries, child care and prescription drugs. Will the convention be his moment to reveal more of his policy plans? Or does it keep the vision broad without filling in more space?
Is Harris breaking up with Biden?
One of the more sensitive questions for Harris is whether he will try to continue the Biden legacy or chart his own path. Inevitably there will be a mixture of both. But what elements of his presidency does Biden embrace and promise to continue? And in what areas does he propose to go his own way? Does he make an open break with any of Biden’s executive actions, legislative proposals, and foreign policy decisions — and if so, what does he propose instead? The answers will likely come in the form of subtle clues. Harris is trying to unify the party, and that starts with cementing the passionate support that Biden continues to enjoy. But many voters are unhappy with their economic situation and the status quo under the Biden administration.
Trump’s campaign has described Harris as a continuation of Biden’s policies, saying in a recent statement that he “can’t shake the Bidenomic stench he’s repeatedly praised.” And it will be up to Harris to convince those disaffected voters that he can offer a new vision rather than more of the same.
Burn the base or turn to the independents?
A quadrennial question for presidential candidates at the conventions is how to balance this task fires the base by appealing to independents and gullible voters who often decide elections. For Harris, who is short on time, the convention is a prime opportunity.
Harris has made significant progress in improving support levels among Democratic-leaning constituencies disenchanted with Biden, particularly among young voters, black Americans and Latinos. But he has more work to do to strengthen the support of these groups.
While some “double haters” — voters who don’t like both Biden and Trump — seem more open to Harris, he has a lot to do with undecided voters. Independents usually decide the outcome of presidential elections, and many of them are very difficult to win. How will Harris use the convention to reach them? The answer may give clues about his strategy for the final stage.
How is Harris handling the Gaza protests?
It has become common for Democratic politicians to pander to protesters demanding a more hawkish US stance against Israel over the bombing of the Gaza Strip. Protests were already underway in Chicago on Sunday before the convention began, and convention organizers and city officials expect more this week. How will Harris deal with them?
The answer has a political meaning. Democrats have privately debated whether most of the protesters are winnable voters or radical agitators out of their reach. But there are Arab-American and Muslim voters threatening to stay home, especially in Michigan. They want Harris to take a more aggressive stance and pressure Israel to negotiate a ceasefire. He has been more outspoken in his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but it is unclear whether he will overrule the policies of the Biden administration.
Harris has already faced protests at his rallies. In a speech earlier this month, he told them: “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say so. Otherwise I’m talking.” A few days later, when Palestinian supporters interrupted him, he showed more patience, telling them, “I respect your votes,” adding, “I’m clear: Now is the time to get a cease-fire deal. The hostage deal is done.”